Up until about 12 months ago, you never really knew what you were going to get out of Kyle Gibson. Who was going to show up? Good Gibby, or bad Gibby? Since, Kyle has been remarkably reliable, until tonight. This was next level. This was Gibson’s transformation in its final form. This was the arrival of Gibby the Great.Snapshot (chart via FanGraphs)Kyle Gibson: 80 Game Score, 8.0 IP, 1 ER, 7 K, 2 BB, 55.8% strikesMulti-hit games: Brian Dozier (2-for-3, R, BB, K)WPA of 0.1 or higher: Gibson .446, Rodney .221 Garver .171WPA of -0.1 or lower: Escobar -.117, Adrianza -.172Download attachment: WinChart726.pngLet’s go around the horn …

First BaseHell of a start by Gibson. This is a Red Sox team he was facing that has the best lineup in baseball and he held them to a single run on four hits over eight innings of work. He threw 120 pitches and racked up seven strikeouts against just two walks.

Mookie Betts, Andrew Benintendi and J.D. Martinez have been three of the most dangerous hitters in the game, but combined to go just 1-for-11 with a walk and four strikeouts against Gibby the Great.

Gibson’s demeanor on the mound also matched the performance. Kyle just looked like he was in control, in the zone. He ended his night by striking out Martinez swinging, the kind of a moment that could send chills up and down your spine and give you goosebumps.

Could this be his last start for the Twins? I wouldn’t bet on it, but I’m certain contending teams are hounding the Twins’ front office right now to check in on his availability.

Second BaseOK, so the Fernando Rodney Experience is the real deal. We’ve certainly seen glimpses of the FRE up to this point, but this was intense.

Rodney, who clearly did not have his changeup working at all, labored in the ninth. He also loves to work methodically. You could see where this would be to his benefit, establishing that he is in control, but as a fan, holy cow is it torturous.

Rodney gave up a leadoff single, but then managed to retire the next two batters in short order. Things swung completely back the other direction, as the next two batters walked. With the bases loaded and two outs, Rodney fell behind Jackie Bradley Jr. 3-0.

Just when you were convinced this was going to end in catastrophe … three-straight strikes, SIT DOWN, GAME OHVAH!!!!!

Third BaseThe Twins made two outs at home. They got three hits and a walk in the first inning, but did not score because of this:

They got a pair of walks and a hit in the sixth inning, but did not score because of this:

Thank goodness none of that ended up mattering in the end, because ...

Home PlateMitch Garver. He was the DH tonight over Logan Morrison and delivered the game-winning hit, an RBI double in the eighth inning.

OK, so Robbie Grossman and Brian Dozier deserve some credit too. Grossman led off the seventh inning with a single, went first-to-third on a Max Kepler single and then scored the game-tying run on a double play ball.

Dozier drew a one-out walk in the eighth, stole second base and then came around to score on that clutch Garver double. Ehire Adrianza also deserves a tip of the cap for making a great defensive play at shortstop late in this one.

Postgame With Gibson

Bullpen UsageHere’s a quick look at the number of pitches thrown by the bullpen over the past five days:Download attachment: Bullpen726.pngAL Central StandingsCLE 55-46MIN 48-53 (-7)DET 44-60 (-12.5)CHW 36-66 (19.5)KC 31-71 (-24.5)

Yeah I’d be more keen on extending Gibby than trading him. We have a helluva time developing top of the rotation guys. Gibby might turn into a 2/3. If we can get a true ace and slot Berrios 2 and Gibson 3 we have a rotation that could win playoff series.

Second Base
OK, so the Fernando Rodney Experience is the real deal. We’ve certainly seen glimpses of the FRE up to this point, but this was intense.

Rodney, who clearly did not have his changeup working at all, labored in the ninth. He also loves to work methodically. You could see where this would be to his benefit, establishing that he is in control, but as a fan, holy cow is it tortuous.

Rodney gave up a leadoff single, but then managed to retire the next two batters in short order. Things swung completely back the other direction, as the next two batters walked. With the bases loaded and two outs, Rodney fell behind Jackie Bradley Jr. 3-0.

Just when you were convinced this was going to end in catastrophe … three-straight strikes, SIT DOWN, GAME OHVAH!!!!!

Please wait for the ride to a complete stop.When it does, raise the safety bar up over your head, grab small children by the hand, and exit to your left.Thank you for riding the Fernando Rodney Experience and enjoy the rest of your day here at Six Flags."

That was an absolutely amazing pitching performance by Kyle Gibson. All I can say is wow, sheer brilliance.
I was watching with my son in law, a huge Red Sox fan, and he couldn't believe that Gibson shut down that potent line up. Then, when I saw Rodney come in, I said hold on, you're not going to believe what's about to happen. He will walk 3 batters and who knows what. Sure enough, Rodney did. He//, he was bouncing balls to the last batter. Count is 3 and 0, I said batter doesn't need to swing at anything, then 3 consecutive strikes. I'm like, are you kidding me.
What a game, life is really good.